Australian cricketer charged with rape in the UK

A young Australian cricketer has been charged with two counts of rape in England’s west.

Alex Hepburn, 21, is due before the Worcester Magistrates Court on December 7, Worcestershire County Cricket Club said in a statement.

The Perth-born allrounder was charged on November 9 after a police investigation into an incident on April 1.

Hepburn’s father, Alex Hepburn Senior, told Perth’s The West Australian that his son plans to “strongly defend” the allegations and says the incident at his flat was consensual.

In a statement, Worcestershire CCCC said Hepburn had been suspended on full pay pending further investigation.

“Worcestershire CCC can confirm that Alex Hepburn was charged on the 9th November with two counts of rape following an investigation by West Mercia Police into an incident which occurred on Saturday 1st April 2017.

“As the matter is now subject to criminal proceedings the club is unable to provide any further comment at this stage.”

Hepburn made his one-day debut for Worcestershire in 2015, and made his Twenty20 debut for the club in August this year.